Through the pillars: Welcoming the next generation to Concordia-Chicago

By: Lily Seifferlein (BA '26)

On any given day at 7400 Augusta Street, one might see a tour guide in a maroon polo walking backwards across campus, gesturing toward buildings while answering questions from prospective students and their families. I have been one of those tour guides since my very first semester at Concordia University Chicago. Some days, my work at Undergraduate Admissions (UGA) consisted of folding T-shirts and assembling folders. On other days, I led tours around campus, speaking with families about the professors, programs, and community that have shaped me into the person I am today.

In UGA, first impressions matter. They shape conversations and often linger long after a visit ends. That is why so many of us are excited about Concordia-Chicago's new welcome center. Accessible through the campus's iconic pillars entrance, the welcome center will provide a dedicated space for greeting visitors. The renovated interior of Addison Hall will include a reception area, meeting spaces for students, and a restored porch space that highlights the building's historic beauty. This project was funded through a capital grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and broke ground in July 2025.

The welcome center will be more than just a starting point for tours; it will be a space where families are greeted with clarity and warmth. Signage, design, and layout will all work together to communicate CUC's identity from the moment guests step inside.

This vision of hospitality is also reflected in the welcome center's location. University President Dr. Russell Dawn highlighted the importance of the project's placement. In a recent conversation, he stated, "Placing the welcome center just inside our magnificent, pillared entrance tells the perfect story to each visitor. The story opens with strength, beauty, and awe and ends with warmth, care, and a sense of belonging. The pillars say that education matters, and the welcome says that you matter."

The above is just an excerpt-for the full story, check out the summer 2026 edition of Forester magazine.